OPK question

[carrie76]

Hi ladies, I usually post on the IVF or Secondary IF board, but I thought you ladies might have some insight. I have been using the OPK to try and figure out if I am ovulating (this was not a problem before ds), and I can see the line, but it never gets as dark or darker than the control line. So, at Day 10, it starts to show up, then fades away by Day 13 or so. What could this mean? Am I not ovulating at all? I had my doctor do a P4 at Day 21 last month, and it was high enough that he thinks I ovulated. So why is the OPK not showing it? Has anyone ever experienced this?

I feel really dumb for not being able to figure this out, but I just have no ideas.

Anyway, thanks for any input anyone might have.

Carrie

[BC-DKNY]

hi carrie.....

did the same thing happen last month when you got a good progest reading? also, what brand tests are you using? i found some more reliable than others.

i think it would be a good idea if you're not temping, to do so. it provides a wealth of information about O'ing.

of course it can always be a fluke to not O on one cycle here or there, but obviously if it's a regular occurrence you might need some medical intervention.

let us know if you want to try temping. we'll be glad to help you along.

P.S. i was always a fan of clear plan OPK's.

[MommaRitz]

Hey Carrie - Dont feel dumb!! These things are tough to read. I used it for one month, got frustrated because It showed I surged for like 4 days in a row (not likely) lol. I talked to DR about it and he said they are very unpredictable and that it is better to start on Day 10 - 20 having BMS every other day. That they have alot higher success rate with that method then OPK's because of the inconsistencies they find with them. HE said unless you are textbook - have your period exactly every 30days and it lasts for 3-4 days and your luteal phase is exactly 14 days that it can have inaccurate results. As for me I am very irregular so of course it wouldnt work for me. Im sure you can find some success stories on here by other gals I just wanted to share what my doc told me Best of luck!

[BC-Maura]

Hi Carrie! Question for you... you say the OPKs always fade away by around cd 13 ... do you keep using them at that point or do you stop for the month? And if you do keep using them, at what cd do you stop?

As for brands, I too was a ClearPlan Easy fan.

I'll check back to see if you answer about when you stop the OPKs....

Good luck+++++++++++++
Maura

[carrie76]

Hmm, I never really thought that brand would matter that much, I just use Target brand. That is something to think about. I had no idea that they were not really that accurate- and I am a scientist!!

We do have BMS every other from day 8-22, so if I do ovulate at some point, we are most likely hitting the mark. I have been using the OPK just to see if and when I am ovulating, I guess it makes me feel like I am doing something to try and make things happen. I am pretty regular, 27-29 day cycles. When it fades out I have just stopped using it, maybe I should keep going and see if the line comes back? I guess I figure that since my cycles are pretty regular, if I am getting my period at day 28 (approx) then I should be Ovulating somewhere around day 13-14-15. I am at day 15 right now, so I will keep using this kit to see what happens.

Thanks for your insight ladies, it has made me think a bit more about the possibilities.

Carrie

[carrie76]

I have tried temping in the past (long long ago) and I got very frustrated, it never seemed accurate to me. I did not have the patience for it. I am thinking of trying it again, well see what happens. Maybe it would reveal something...

Also, my progesterone was high enough last month to indicate ovulation, but I did use OPK and it never came up positive. So I don't know what to think.

I am going to see my OB/GYn on Thursdeay, I think I am going to try a few Clomid cycles and see if anything happens.

Alright, my husband has to do some schoolwork on the computer, have to go .

Thanks!

[BC-Maura]

Hi Carrie: If your cycles are 29-29 days long, then you could be surging and ovulating after you've stopped OPKing. Let's say that you have a 12 day LP and a 29 day cycle, for example, then you could be ovulating on cd 17, with a detectable surge anywhere from cd 15-17...if you stopped OPKing on cd 13 in such a cycle, then you wouldn't pick up your surge. Just something to think about!

I think if you can keep OPKing and/or temping, it might be useful to see whether you can pick up O with temps or OPKs. That way you can see whether your LP is long enough to allow implantation.

Good luck and keep us posted+++++++++++
Maura

[BC-DKNY]

Originally Posted by carrie76

I guess I figure that since my cycles are pretty regular, if I am getting my period at day 28 (approx) then I should be Ovulating somewhere around day 13-14-15.
Carrie

i would also like to add (in addition to the scenario that maura gave you) that even tho you have a regular 28-29 day cycle, doesn't guarentee that you're not o'ing later, with a short LP.

so i think temping would be a great idea. as maura said, it'll tell you if your LP is long enough, and could also explain why you haven''t picked up your surge.

[awbaby]

I would try temping again. I know it can be frusrating. My charts seem out of wack all the time but i keep doing it to see if i can maybe someday make some sence out of it. Maybe if i actually got pg i would know from my temping. It is worth a try especially for your O testing.
Awbaby

[carrie76]

Thanks ladies, I will definetly keep going with the OPK this month, next month too I am sure. I guess I will dig out my old BBThermometer as well...argh

Carrie